Silver Service Star
The Silver Service Star is a military ribbon device that represents participation in five designated military campaigns or operations. It replaces five Bronze Service Stars, making military ribbon racks easier to read while accurately displaying campaign participation.
The Silver Service Star should never be confused with the Silver Star Medal, one of the nation’s highest decorations for valor.
What Is a Silver Service Star?
A Silver Service Star is a 3/16-inch silver star worn on authorized campaign medals.
It equals:
- Five campaign stars
- Five designated campaigns
- Five qualifying military operations
Campaign Medals That Use Silver Service Stars
Examples include:
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Southwest Asia Service Medal
- Kosovo Campaign Medal
Silver Service Star vs. Silver Star Medal
These are not the same.
Silver Service Star
- Ribbon device
- Indicates five campaigns
- Attached to campaign medals
Silver Star Medal
- Individual decoration
- Awarded for gallantry in combat
- Third-highest U.S. military decoration for valor
Why It’s Used
Replacing five bronze stars with one silver star keeps military ribbons neat while preserving accurate campaign records.
FAQs
How many Bronze Service Stars equal one Silver Service Star?
Five.
Does it indicate valor?
No. It only indicates campaign participation.
Can more than one Silver Service Star be worn?
Yes, when authorized by military regulations.